Hard Drive Crash - Which Version Now?

Storia · Post by **Storia** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 8:03 pm

I have used PhotoImpact 8 XL or 8.1 (XL Build 1201) for years & all my install files are on crashed drive (I know, stupid). There is a "new" boxed Version 8 available @ Amazon.com for about $35. I do have my registration info for the downloaded 8 I was using, but not sure that will do me any good since it's not supported any longer.

I have Version 10/box that I tried to use when it was released, but it had too many bugs, so I uninstalled and went back to 8 & it's been stable forever it seems.

I am not interested in new Version 13 (don't do much "new" until it's been out for a while).

QUESTION: Would it be best for me to install 10 & upgrade to 12 at this point? It wouldn't cost that much more than what I would spend at Amazon to replace my old 8 version. Just not sure how stable 12 has been & whether or not the bugs I experienced in 10 would affect the 12 upgrade.

Would very much appreciate any feedback/advice.

Thanks

heinz-oz · Post by **heinz-oz** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 1:27 am

That is a question nobody can answer with certainty. I started out with PI 9, never had a problem because I hardly ever used it. Upgraded to PI XL but didn't save my downloaded files and lost it all in a HDD crash like you have. I upgraded to PI 10 from my PI 9 SE version which I had on CD. Never looked back. It worked like a charm and I did the BW with it. Later I upgraded to PI 11 but had some issues with it, especially the out of memory error. Now I'm on PI 12 and, again, it works like a charm. I still use PI 10 occasionally but not all that often since PI 12 does it all as well and more.

Some people had problems with PI 10, I didn't. Some people had no problems with PI 11, I did. Some people have reported problems with PI 12 but I have none. Incidentally, I run on XP Pro SP2.

I would download the TBYB version of PI 12 and try it. If it runs on your machine, fine, buy it. If it doesn't, get the boxed version of PI 8 since you are comfortable with it.

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 2:22 am

Another point that you may wish to take into consideration is your Operating System. Currently I see that you are using XP, hopefully your computer will continue to provide you with many more years of good service.
However computers do develop hardware faults which might mean that it becomes more economical to purchase a new computer or that replacement parts become obsolete.

If this occurs you may find that a new computer comes pre-installed with Vista - which in my opinion was rushed out and so not properly developed - hence all of the problems we read and hear about concerning Vista.

With this in mind you might want to take into account when purchasing any new software, PhotoImpact or something else, if the software will be compatible with the newer operating systems even though you most likely have no plans to upgrade from your tried and trusted XP.

Storia · Post by **Storia** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 5:42 am

Thanks for the comments/suggestions. My son is MS Certified and he does not think I should purchase a new computer - this one has been almost perfect for over 3 years now. Losing the data to a crash is totally my fault - needed to increase my external drive capacity and got lazy.

Think I am going to do the trial version of 12 and see how that runs at this point.

BTW, I love PhotoImpact - no matter what the glitches have been over the years. I also run PSP 10. I finish everything in PI and get compliments all the time that my graphics are clearer, more professional looking.

My advice to all is never store anything internally that you're not prepared to lose LOL. External capacity is pretty cheap these days & running @ 7200RPM doesn't seem to slow me down that much.

Thanks again, for the feedback.

heinz-oz · Post by **heinz-oz** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 7:58 am

It's just that an external drive can fail/corrupt also

Storia · Post by **Storia** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 8:45 pm

I know, but don't rain too hard on my parade LOL - not sure I can take much more

I've got 3 other systems running in this house. I figure once I get back up and situated, I'll stick a folder on each one & print out hard copy of all my purchase info, etc.

I'm toying with data recovery - son thinks I can get it done for $2-400.00. The cost to replace my plugins is more than that.........geeeeeeesh, I hate seeing all this in print - "DUMBIE" & "STUPID" keep flashing before my eyes.

sjj1805 · Post by **sjj1805** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 11:19 pm

Storia wrote:.......
I'm toying with data recovery - son thinks I can get it done for $2-400.00. .....

Take a look at Norton Ghost.

Storia · Post by **Storia** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 12:29 am

I have it - since I have more capacity now, I might run it.....thanks